Clients come to Circus when something important is changing.

New leadership. New ownership. A changing marketplace. A new proposition or ambition. A business at an inflection point. Or simply the recognition that a commercial challenge might need fresh eyes and new thinking for the future.

Organisations, like people, have different chapters and vintages. What is right and resonant at one moment may need to be reviewed and reimagined for the next. Our engagement might be comprehensive, or partial – with a need to review a particular issue or dimension.

Sometimes we are given a brief. Often, a puzzle.

How we work

We start with the organisation and the question.

Our work moves through Definition, Translation and Mobilisation — shaped around the particular needs, culture and lexicon of the organisation.

Definition creates clarity. It articulates and codifies the strategy: what the organisation believes, where it is going and what makes it distinctive and compelling.

Translation is the bridge between a clear strategy and its practitioners. It carefully considers the implications for Proposition and Participation — for customer and colleague. Translation creates the system to guide the organisation’s Offer, Behaviour, Place and Voice. A framework for client teams and their professional partners.

Mobilisation turns the strategy into momentum. It defines the priorities, programme and choreography through which the client team and partners take it forward. This might include more detailed work with Commercial, HR, Marketing and Experience teams. Sometimes Circus might hand over at this point.

Circus is senior and considered. It creates an ensemble around the particular business question through co-working with the client team and expert partners. Sometimes our role is counsel. Sometimes we lead a substantial programme of work. Sometimes it is a light touch MOT – facilitating client and agency teams who take the strategy forward.

The choreography changes. The practice remains the same.